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April 3, 2009

Red Sox at Mets, 6 PM

Lester had control troubles (4-3-1-5-4, 83), but managed to Houdini his way out of trouble for the most part.

Manny Delcarmen allowed three hits, two walks and two runs in the fifth and Marcus McBeth threw 38 pitches in the sixth, walking three and allowing a run. Hideki Okajima struck out the side in the seventh and Jonathan Papelbon handled the eighth, but the Sox bats came up short.

The game was delayed by rain for 67 minutes in the top of the sixth and when things started up again, both managers went to their benches.

Chris Carter singled to start the seventh against J.J. Putz, went to third on Gil Velazquez's double and scored on Dusty Brown's groundout to score Boston's second run. In the eighth, Lars Anderson lined a single to center, took second and then third on right-side groundouts, and then scored on Angel Chavez's double down the right field line. Carter struck out to end the threat.

In the ninth, Frod had no trouble with Velazquez, Brown and Josh Reddick.

Earlier in the game, the following batters hit doubles: Pedroia in the first, Drew and Carter in the fourth, and Ellsbury in the fifth. Six of Boston's eight hits were "Baltimore dongs".

I remember a previous free trial being a disaster because MLB was unable to handle the traffic of viewers wanting to check out the bells and whistles. That was with a series of games throughout the day; these games will be running at the same time. I hope MLB is better prepared.

We are told by our engineers and architects that we will be able to play baseball in Fenway Park for the next 40 to 50 years.

I'd rather not ever see the Red Sox play in a different home park. If Lucchino is right, I won't.

***

John Tomase asked Terry Francona if he ever did anything memorable in Shea Stadium.

"I played my only game at third base there. It was the last day of the (1985) season. Hubie (Brooks) didn't want to get an at-bat or something like that. Then they brought Jeff Reardon in and he had a bunch of money riding on a save. I was like, '(Expletive) this.' I didn't want to throw a ball away and cost him $150,000.

Francona had to make one play, cutting across the mound to grab a swinging bunt by Larry Bowa before throwing him out.

Sunday, October 6, 1985. Last game of the season. Francona took over at third base after Brooks was pinch-run for in the 4th. Tito made three plays from third (not one), all grounders: Larry Bowa to end the fourth, John Christensen to end the fifth, and Ray Knight for the second out in the sixth.

He's right: it was his only game at third base. But when Reardon came into the game in the bottom of the eighth to save Montreal's 2-1 lead, Expos manager Buck Rodgers had Vance Law replace Francona at third. Tito never played behind Reardon in this game. Reardon picked up his 41st save (which led all MLB relievers). No idea about incentives, but with Reardon earning only $850,000 that year, does a $150,000 bonus (for most saves in MLB, maybe?) seem high? It does give him an even million, though.

Tomorrow's Red Sox vs. Mets exhibition game at Citi Field will be shown locally on MLB Network live beginning at 1:00 p.m. The normal MLB blackout rules have been lifted in this case to allow Red Sox fans the ability to see this game, which will be a simulcast of the WPIX-TV feed from New York.

I, too, am glad that the Sox have no plans to vacate Fenway Park in my lifetime. The improvements to this band box have been streamline and the experience gets better and better each year. Why spoil that with some cookie-cutter design?

James, they're playing in Northampton, MA tonight. I've wanted to see them since I picked up their first singles from Bomp! in the mid-90s.

You should check out Asteroid #4 from Philly. I'm particularly fond of the first album, but the new one is a good synthesis of the sounds they've been working on the last 10 years. Mining somewhat similar veins of British psych to BJM, but their personnel seem a bit more stable, mentally.

I'm down with New Toilet. BAT (born again toilet). or TRASH (Toilet Remains A Similar Hellhole).

My only exposure to the Brian Jonestown Massacre (as far as I know) was the movie DiG. I did not like it at all.

I think you probably know correctly. They are not something one often accidentally stumbles across and doesn't realize it. Sorry you didn't like DiG, but the Gilmore Girls sendup of it was pretty great.

In response to my previous question: Jere is going to both games and has his usual weather luck.

So Don has been told the video feed isn't working... (Hey everyone!) Well, Don, why don't you tell us where the pitches are going? I heard two or three pitches hit the glove and I have no idea if they were balls or strikes. Hmm, Don... Maybe try to act a little like a radio announcer if you KNOW people can't see what's happening.

Tomorrow's Red Sox vs. Mets exhibition game at Citi Field will be shown locally on MLB Network live beginning at 1:00 p.m. The normal MLB blackout rules have been lifted in this case to allow Red Sox fans the ability to see this game, which will be a simulcast of the WPIX-TV feed from New York.

Oh well that's good! Good to know that blackout restrictions apparently mean they usually won't show a game on MLB Network in both local cities even if one of them isn't televising the game. Somebody please tell me how that makes sense.

To answer Nick's question: I was at the Toilet, will be in Flushing today.

"NY Post headline guys call new Yankee Stadium a "monument to greed" as Joel Sherman christens it with the'George Mahal'."

My quick review: It's the shiny, expensive toy...that you're not allowed to unwrap. Me and the two people I was with felt pretty much like robots at a robot factory that makes robots. And they're both Yankee fans. It's like, "sir, while you're staying at the back of the section since we're not allowing you to enter it, even though it's three hours before an exhibition game, could you please stand back three more feet? We like to keep this area clear...."